single dad: v.h

chapter sixteen

Vinnie and Aaliyah had now unpacked the boxes and were eating dinner at the table with Bear and Kaiser, who was in Vinnie's arms being fed a bottle.

As he was feeding him the doorbell rang. Vinnie stood up and walked to the door with Kaiser in his arms. He opened to reveal his mom who looked like she'd been crying. She sniffled and stepped inside as Vinnie moved to the side to let her in.

"Aaliyah, my mom's here. I'm gonna talk to her upstairs and put Kaiser to sleep." Vinnie said, walking up the stairs with his mom following him.

Vinnie layed Kaiser down in his bassinet, covering up his legs with the blanket. He made sure to get the bottle in his hands before turning attention to his mom.

"Hey." Vinnie said.

"Did you mean it?" Maria asked. Her voice was a little deeper than normal.

"Did I mean what?" Vinnie asked.

"That you didn't need me?" Maria asked.

"No, I didn't." Vinnie answered.

Maria only nodded. She didn't speak as she wrapped her arms around him. Confusion flooded her brain when he didn't hug her back.

"I didn't mean it but I'm still mad at you mom." Vinnie said, gently taking her arms off of him.

"How come?" Maria asked as she sat on the bed.

"Because you still treat me like a kid and you can't accept that I love this girl. You don't let me have peace of mind. You judge everything I do. You make it hard for me to make decisions because you always have to insert your opinion." Vinnie said, leaning against the wall of his bedroom.

"I'm just trying to help you."

"No, it goes beyond that mom. You still want control over my life. You want to be the one to decide everything I do and how I think and where I work. You want me to raise my kids the way you want me too. You don't want me to be responsible over myself or my kids. Tell me that I'm wrong." Vinnie argued back.

"You aren't wrong." Maria said, looking down at her hands.

"Okay, well until you can get it through your head that I'm a grown man then please let me be. Reggie agreed to watch Kaiser during the day while he does online school. He's bringing his school stuff here. You don't have to worry about it. If you wouldn't mind, I'm trying to eat with what now is my family, so if you could leave that'd be great." Vinnie said, making sure to get the point across that he was not dealing with anymore bullshit.

"Right, I'm sorry." Maria said softly as she followed him down the stairs to the door.

She didn't say a word as she walked out the door. Her heart was honestly crushed from his words and she was unsure of whether or not she lost him.

"Mama, despite everything I said I still love you. I just think we need some time apart." Vinnie said, making her turn around.

"I love you too Vinnie. Reach out to me when you're ready." Maria said, getting in her car shortly after and leaving.

Vinnie closed the door, turning around to see Aaliyah holding her arms open for him to walk into. He took her offer and hugged her immediately. He didn't cry, didn't talk, he just layed his head on top of hers.

"Everything will work out in the end." Aaliyah said softly, kissing his chin softly.